Numbers 32:16–27

¹⁶Then they came up to him and said, “We would like to build pens^f here for our livestock^g and cities for our women and children. ¹⁷But we will arm ourselves for battle^a and go ahead of the Israelites^h until we have brought them to their place.ⁱ Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. ¹⁸We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.^{j 19}We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance^k has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”^l

²⁰Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle^{m 21}and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out before himⁿ—²²then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return^o and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession^p before the Lord.^q

²³“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.^{r 24}Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks,^s but do what you have promised.^t”

²⁵The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We your servants will do as our lord commands.^{u 26}Our children and wives, our flocks and herds will remain here in the cities of Gilead.^{v 27}But your servants, every man who is armed for battle, will cross over to fight^w before the Lord, just as our lord says.”